medicinal herbsRed Dead NettleLamium purpureum

Herb: Red Dead Nettle

Latin name: Lamium purpureum

Family: Labiatae

Medicinal use of Red Dead Nettle:

The whole plant is astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, purgative and styptic. A decoction of the plant is particularly useful for checking any kind of haemorrhage, whilst the fresh bruised leaves can be applied to external cuts and wounds.

Description of the plant:

Plant:

Annual

Height:

30 cm(11 3/4 inch)

Flowering:

March toOctober

Habitat of the herb:

Roadsides, waste places and as a common weed of cultivated land.

Edible parts of Red Dead Nettle:

Young leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb. The plant is a short-lived annual, but seeds can germinate at almost any time of the year and so the leaves are often available all year round.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - plants usually self sow freely and should not require human intervention. When required, the seed can be sown in situ as soon as it is ripe.